imperatival
Definition
Adjective (Linguistics): Relating to or having the characteristics of the imperative mood, which is used to express commands, requests, or prohibitions in grammar.
Usage Examples
- (The command form used in grammar.)
- (Grammatical structures that function as commands.)
- (The grammatical marker indicating the imperative mood.)
Advanced Usage
"Imperatival force": the pragmatic effect of a command, even if the sentence is not grammatically imperative.
- His tone carried an imperatival force, even though he used a polite question. (The implication of a command in the speaker's manner.)
"Imperatival clause": a clause that functions as a command, typically without an explicit subject.
- "Leave now!" is an example of an imperatival clause. (A sentence structured as a direct command.)
Variants and Related Words
Imperative (adj/n): the mood itself; a command.
- "Sit down" is an imperative sentence. (A sentence in the command form.)
Imperativalness (n): the quality of being imperatival.
- The imperativalness of the instruction was unmistakable. (The characteristic of being command-like.)
Synonyms
- Commanding: expressing a directive or order.
- Jussive: a grammatical mood expressing a command or request (often used in linguistics).
- Directive: serving to direct or instruct.
Related Idioms